New Technology for Purification of Industrial Waste Gas Streams

Abstract

[evdate 1999-01-28] For release 28 January 1999

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR PURIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE GAS STREAMS

Dr FANG Ming, Associate Director of the Applied Technology Center, Mr Lau Ngai Ting and Dr MA Jianxin at HKUST have developed a catalyst technology for the removal of various inorganic gaseous sulfur compounds and nitrogen oxides from waste, exhaust and process streams in the power, petrochemical, metallurgical and environmental industries. The technology has already been granted three US patents and more patent applications are in progress.

Gaseous sulfur compounds and nitrogen oxides are harmful pollutants and the main components of acid rain. Great efforts have been made to solve this world-wide problem over recent decades. Traditional methods have proven to be non-cost-effective and also produce secondary pollutants entailing further waste disposal. According to Dr FANG Ming, however, their system is very effective and efficient (95 in the simultaneous removal of sulfur and nitrogen oxides from waste gas streams, and the process generates almost no waste. The core of the invention is a special multi-functional, composite catalyst system that reduces sulfur compounds and nitrogen oxides to harmless gas and commercial grade elemental sulfur.

Normally the desulfurization systems in coal-fired power plants cost as much as 25% of the entire investment in the plant. However the catalyst in the new technology can be prepared economically and with guaranteed quality from inexpensive, readily available materials. Furthermore, the processes are simple to design and construct and economical to operate. The leading environmental task in China掇 "Ninth 5-Year Plan" requires up to an average of 50% desulfurization nationwide relying on imported technologies at high costs. Furthermore, a 50% reduction in sulfur dioxide will not solve China掇 environmental problem. It is believed that the new invention at HKUST can greatly benefit China economically and environmentally.

After ten-year掇 of research, Dr FANG Ming and his collaborators have successfully completed the laboratory testing work and are now ready to commence the pilot-plant testing.

Note to Editors: Please direct enquiries to Mr King Cheng of Public Affairs Office at 2358-6305 or email pamedia@ust.hk.